Pole reinforcement



Aug. 24, 1937. L. ALLEN POLE REINFORCEMENT Filed July 51, 1935 2 Sheets-S 66c l Baxnion ROBERT L ALLEN R. L. ALLEN NFORCEMENT Filed July 31, 1935 Aug. 24 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My improvement relates generally to pole reinforcements and more particularly to reinforcements for wooden poles.

It is well known that poles set in the ground a are especially subject to deterioration and decay in the immediate vicinity of the ground, while the remaining portions of such poles, from a short Way above the ground, remain in substantially good and usable condition. This characteristic of poles is the cause of much trouble and expense. This is particularly true of the wooden poles used by the electrical industry, which poles are employed for supporting wires. When this decay and deterioration occurs, the

poles are weakened at the point of the greatest strain. In order to remedy this condition, the methods used require large expense and the Work of such repair is frequently dangerous, but is essential in order that the pole systems may be 'maintained in proper condition.

There have been a multitude of devices designed, tried, experimented with, and some patented, to overcome the difficulties mentioned, but these have not gone into general and extensive use owing to various inherent defects, such as high first cost, lack of adaptability to irregular shapes and sizes of poles, and clumsy appearance when installed. Another vantage of many of the devices thus tried and patented is that they present protruding shapes,

such as bulges, lugs, and ribs which may and frequently do cause damage to vehicles brushing against them, as well as to the clothes of persons coming in contact therewith. These last mentioned disadvantages are especially vital to concerns engaged in electrical distribution, since the nature of their business requires the most careful regard for public safety and goodwill.

In order to overcome the disadvantages and 40 objections above noted, and likewise to remedy in an inexpensive way the effects of decay and deterioration, I have produced my invention.'

The objects of my invention are to overcome the difficulties already mentioned and to provide 4 a safe, substantial, strong, and relatively inexpensive means for effectually reinforcing poles.

The above objects and advantages have been accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, of which: 50 Fig. l is a side elevation of a pole equipped with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. l. 55 Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional disadview of the upper fastening means of my device showing a part of the through-bolt of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the lower fastening means of my device, also show- 5 ing a through-bolt.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my lower spacer block.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of my upper spacer block. 10

Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing my clamping means applied to the through-bolt when in place in the pole.

My invention primarily consists of a plurality of structural steel channels l0 preferably made 15 of a corrosion-resisting alloy and each provided, as usual, with a web Illa and right-angled flanges 10b. These channels are secured in the manner hereinafter described to the poles I I. Each of these channels, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, has. the greater part of its length driven in close proximity to the side of the pole below the ground level, indicated at l2, the upper shorter portion of each of these channels being secured to the pole above the ground level. While I. have shown in the drawings two channels applied to a pole (see Fig. 1), yet in practice it is frequently wise and sometimes necessary to apply, in similar manner as that indicated in the drawings, more than two such channels to the 30 poles.

These channels are relatively long and narrow. They may be driven securely into the ground in close proximity to the poles by a suitable hammer. They are embedded in the ground a considerable .distance alongside of the pole so that the greater part of their length is preferably below the ground, thus providing a new foundation for the pole. In practice, I have found that, to get the best results, such .chan I nels should be driven into the ground a distance about ten times their width. For example. a channel seven inches Wide should be driven in the ground about seventy inches or more. This is an important feature of safety since the security of the fixture in the ground increases in much higher ratio than the depth of the footing in the ground.

Those skilled in the art of overhead construction ordinarily assume that the strength of footings or settings of this general type increases in proportion to the square of the depth in which they are embedded in the ground, and some engineers use an even higher exponent than that.

In my construction I employ spacers l4. These the spacers.

spacers may be of two types, an upper spacer Mb and a lower spacer [4a, and they are secured between the pole and the channels in the manner to be hereinafter and more particularly described. One of the chief functions of these spacers is to transfer the resisting moment of the channels to the pole to which the channels are applied. The spacers may be castings or forged pieces. Preferably I make the face of the casting which contacts directly with the pole curved in form and provided with serrations or sharp points [5 (see Figs. 6 and 7), or any other suitable gripping means which will firmly grip the pole when being pressed tightly against the same. In some of the claims I refer to these spacers as sector-shaped. A spacer Mb is used at the top part of each of the channels and a spacer Ma is arranged near the ground level of each of the channels, but preferably above the decayed or deteriorated portion of the pole. The

distance between thesespacers and their intimate gripping contact with the pole at these widely separated points applies a large effective resisting moment to the poles to which my device is applied. i

The channels are provided with holes 26 where the spacers [4 are to be located and bosses 25 are provided on the spacers for engagement with these holes. Such engagement interlocks the spacers and channels and prevents relative movementbetween these parts. The bosses of the'spacers thereby take all the thrust and shearing action produced between the channels and The bosses 25 of the spacers are preferably provided with bolt holes ll so that through-bolts l6 may be passed therethroug h.

Obviously, while I have shown for convenience the spacers a little narrower than the space between the flanges lilb of the channels, it is clear that these spacers may be made to fit snugly between the said flanges and, therefore, be made to take substantially all the lateral thrust placed upon the channels.

Preferably, the bolt hole ll of each of the spacers is inwardly flaring (see Figs. 6 and '7) and is made slightly larger at its smaller diameter than the bolt, so that when and if the pole is swayed, the bolt passing through the hole will be relieved of substantially all lateral shearing action or moment.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the lower, sectorshaped spacer la is provided with a depending portion l8. This portion l8 comprises a relatively thin plate part 19 having a bolt hole 2| therethrough, and two depending, interspaced, side lugs 20 arranged one on each side of the bolt hole 2! for engagement with the head of the bolt 28, hereinafter described. The plate part I9 is provided on the side opposite the flanges with a circular boss 24. This boss is adapted to engage with an opening 21 formed in the channel web 10a when the boss 25 is in engagement with the hole 26 and it thus assists in taking some of the shearing action between the channel and the spacers. While the depending portion 18 is preferably provided on the lower, sector-shaped spacer Ma, it may, of course, if desired, be advantageously used 0n the upper spacer l lb.

When the parts are first assembled,'I find it advantageous to place a lower spacer Ma within each of the channels Illwith the bosses 25 and 24 thereof in engagement with the holes 26 and 21, respectively, of the channels. A bolt 28 is then passed through the hole 21 of the boss 24 of each of these spacers and securely tightened in place so that initially the spacers are firmly secured to the webs of the channels, whereby they will not be moved out of place as the channels are being driven to place in the ground. By so securing the parts together, the curved surfaces of the spacers Ma will engage the pole and any tendency of the pole to move in either direction will be resisted by the channels. Since the poles at their surfaces near the ground may be and are often soft, the provision of the flanges 20 of the depending portions IS on the lower spacers 14a. brings about advantageous results, since they increase the area of contact of the spacers with the pole. After the channels have been driven to place with the lower spacers Ma. in place, as just above pointed out, the upper spacers Mb are put into place and engaged with the upper ends of the channels, the

boss 25 of each of the spacers engaging with the hole 26 at the top of the channel. With the parts in their final positions, holes are now bored through the pole in registering positions with the holes I! of the spacers. These holes may be drilled in any suitable way, care being taken that each one of them registers with the hole of the oppositely arranged spacer. A through-bolt is now placed through the pole and through each pair of registering spacers, after which each of them is tightened up so as to force the spacers against the pole. With the spacers Ma. and Nb thus in place with their faces in contact with the pole, and with the through-bolts It also in place, the clamping pressure is spread over a wide surface area of the pole and thereby renders the pole, thus reinforced, capable of withstanding a stress substantially equal to the full strength of the channels.

The sector-shaped spacers perform several advantageous functions in my invention. One advantage of using these spacers results from the fact that the spacers, being tightly held between the pole and the web of the channel, substantially l reinforce the comparatively thin channel web and thus help to keep it rigid to resist the strain of the swaying pole. Another advantage is that the spacers in the position described keep a large part of the length of the channels which is above the ground spaced apart from the pole, thereby providing air spaces allowing free air circulation and thus preventing some deterioration of'the pole by not permitting moisture to collect underneath the channels and thereby rot the wood of the pole. If the channels were tightly hugging the pole, there would be but little air circulation between them and the pole, and there would be accumulated between the pole and the channels a great deal of moisture which would tend to deteriorate the parts of the pole covered by the channels. performed by these sector-shaped spacers is that of securely gripping the pole by means of the serrated o-r roughened inside surface of the spacers or by the sharp points provided on their inside faces so that the pole and the spacers and Another important function,

to so clamp such split or cracked poles in a very simple and effective manner.

For this purpose, I may employ a length of wire 22 which I preferably loop around one end of the through-bolt [6 so that the wire passes semicircularly in its looped condition around half of the pole and the twoends of the wire 22 are brought over the opposite protruding end of the through-bolt l6 and there, with suitable pinchers or other device, the ends of the wire are twisted together until they are securely clamped over the through-bolt and at the same time the looped wire is brought to a high tension over half the circumference of the pole. In like manner, an-

* other looped wire is passed half way'around the pole on the other side thereof and in the same way the ends of the second looped wire may be tightened by twisting. This clamp draws the split or cracked portions of the pole together and binds them firmly in place. In order to pass the wires around the pole in the method described, I have found that it can be easily done after the through-bolt I6 is put into place, but before it is clamped tightly in place, by forcing the channels away from the pole a sufiicient distance toallow the passage of the wire between the pole and the channels. This is possible because the channel sections are more or less flexible or resilient.

Obviously, some other form of clamping means may be used, such as metal bands, rods, or other suitable encircling member or members which can be readily anchored either to the throughbolt or to the channels. After these clamping wires are secured in place, the through-bolt is tightened, thus forcing the spacers against the wires and the pole and firmly bonding the whole structure together.

For the purpose of providing a finish to the top of each of the channels, I provide a nose piece or cap 23 on each of the upper spacers Mb (see Fig. 7). This cap forms a pleasing finish to the top of the channels and likewise protects against accidents due to persons coming in contact with the sharp upper edge of the channel. Obviously, however, a separate nose piece might be provided and when put in place and not welded or otherwise directly secured to the channel, it could be, by means of bolts or studs, secured by passing such bolts, studs, or screws through holes in the nose piece into the wood of the pole.

In place of the channels herein shown and described, it is obvious that I-beams or other suitably shaped structural sections may, if desired, be used instead of channels with substantially the same effect and efficiency as hereinbefore described.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the same is not limited to all the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow, channel sections having their flanges facing the pole, said channel sections being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said sections having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, and a plurality of interspaced through-bolts passing through only those portions of the sections that are above the ground for securing the said sections to the pole at a plurality of points, whereby a new foundation is created by such sections.

2. The combination with a pole of a relatively long narrow channel, said channel being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channel 3. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels having their right-angled flanges extending toward the pole, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a sub stantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, sector-shaped spacers provided with roughened gripping inside faces secured between the channels and the pole,"-

and through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels that are above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

4. The combination with a pole of a plurality" of relatively long, narrow channels, said. channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of the r length disposed within the ground, and their' remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, said channels being so arranged that their flanges face the pole, sector-shaped spacers provided with depending portions, each formed with a flat, exterior, central part whereby.

each spacer may be initially secured to the web of the channel, said spacers being positioned between the channels and the pole and having locking engagement with the channels, and

through-bolts passing through only those portions 7 of the channels that are above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

5. 'The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, sector-shaped spacers provided with depending portions, each formed with a fiat, exterior, central part and an outwardly extending boss for locking engagement with the channel, whereby each spacer may be initially secured to the web of the channel, said spacers being positioned between the channels and the pole, and through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels that are .above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

6. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the groundv close to the pole, sector-shaped spacers provided with depending portions, each formed with a fiat, ex-

terior, central part and interiorly extending lugs whereby each spacer'may be initially secured to the web of the channel, said spacers being positioned between the channels and the pole, and through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels thatare above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

7. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, a cap arranged over the top of each channel, and through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels that are above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

8. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, sector-shaped spacers secured between the channels and the pole, a cap arranged over the top of each channel, and through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels that are above the ground for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points.

9. The combination with a pole having incipient longitudinal cracks, of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, through-bolts passing through only those portions of the channels that are above the 45 ground for securing the said channels to the pole at a plurality of points, and a plurality of clamping means associated with the through-bolts and secured to the said through-bolts and arranged between the channels and the pole for securely binding the pole and, preventing further extension of the longitudinal cracks.

10. The combination with a polehaving incipient longitudinal cracks, of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground,

said channels having; a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, sector-shaped spacers secured between the channels and the pole, through-bolts for securing the said channels and -spacers'to the pole atr'azplurality of points above the ground,

and a plurality of clamping means'secured to the said through-bolts and arranged between the channels and the pole for securely binding'the pole and preventing further extension of the longitudinal cracks.

- 11. The combination with a pole having incipient longitudinal cracks, of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of theirlength disposed within the ground, and their remaining iengthextending above the ground close to the pole, upper and lower sector-shaped spacers secured between the channels and the pole, throughbolts'for securing the said channels and spacers to the pole at a plurality of points above the ground, and a' plurality of clamping means secured to the through-bolt of said upper spacers and arranged between the channels and the pole for securely binding the pole and preventing further extension of the longitudinal cracks, said upper "spacers being superimposed over said clamping means.

12. The combination with a pole of a plurality of relatively long, narrow channels having their flanges facing the pole, said channels being driven into the ground in close proximity to that portion of' the pole which is in the ground, said channels having a substantial part of their length disposed within the ground, and their remaining length extending above the ground close to the pole, a plurality of interspaced through- L 

